~Chapter Ten~

Shaina's P.O.V

Even after we got Joey's card back, beaten the Rare Hunter, and make a pretty good team, I still tried to persuade Shana to get out of the tournament. But of course, her stubborn self won't. I sound like an asshole, but I'm worried about her safety. Sure we make a great team, and she could be an admittedly good duelist, but I don't want the same thing to happen that happened in Duelist Kingdom, happen to her now!

It's stupid, I sound overprotective, and it's just…stupid all over again! But what the hell can I do to stop it?

Now today is the official start of Battle City. Shana turns to me. "You know what? I can see that you don't support me in this. So you know what? I'm going my separate way. Good day!" Shana says in her sassy way.

I shrug and watch her mutely as she walks away. Atem puts his hand on my shoulder. "Is there something the matter with you and your sister?" he asks. I watch her as she walks off in the distance. Then I shake my head.

"Nah. There really isn't. Maybe she's right. It's her turn to fight her own battles." Then I start walking away with no further explanation. As the gang and I are walking, we hear shouts of amazement.

We walk over to the ruckus. "…Please don't take that! You're only supposed to take one of my rarest cards, not all of them!" I hear somebody pleading. In front of us is a Rare Hunter with a boy on the ground, his deck scattered.

"Hey, isn't that one of those jerks who took my card last night?" Joey says angrily. I nod. "They're called the Rare Hunters. They're illegal duelists who entered the tournament, and they take other people's rare cards." I say. Everybody eyes me with interest.

"That kid looks like he needs help." Yugi says, changing into Atem. He steps up to the Rare Hunter. "You! Are you the one who took Joey's card?" The Rare Hunter truns around, and grins at the sight of Atem.

"Why yes, indeed Pharaoh. Do you wish to duel me?" Atem peers at the boy who's on the ground sulking. "Yes. If I win, you would have to give back that boy's card." He says. The Rare Hunter grins.

"Oh how noble of you Pharaoh. I accept your challenge. But you have no idea who you're up against." The Rare Hunter says, activating his duel disk. Atem activates his too. "Let's duel!" They both shout.

Skip duel time warp!

A/N: Sorry peeps, I am WAY lazy to write down the whole duel. Besides, you all know how it goes down.

We all cheer for Atem's victory. But then, a glowing eye appears on the Rare Hunter's head, and he starts to shake in a disheveled way.

"Greetings Pharaoh," he says in a distorted voice. Atem looks at him, taken aback. "I sense the same prescence from you like of my Millennium Puzzle…" he says, puzzled. The Hunter chuckles, or should I say, Marik.

"Oh, you got that right. I possess a Millennium Item as well." "How can you control him?!" Atem asks, shocked. Marik chuckles. "Each Item has a unique power, and mine enables me to enslave the minds of others."

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Marik." The possessed Rare Hunter glances over to me. "You do remember me, right Shaina?" he asks mockingly. I scowl. "Leave her out of this!" Atem says angrily.

Marik laughs. "So protective over the girl are you? Just know that I'm not only after your puzzle and my revenge, but I'm also after your sweet little Shaina."

Atem shakes with rage. "You will not touch her," he says, though clenched teeth. Marik laughs more. "Ah, I see your weak spot now Pharaoh. Your heart falling for such a pretty girl." I can feel my face turning red. Come on! Even the villains think that we're boyfriend and girlfriend?

"We're just friends!" I say, interrupting the serious conversation. Marik smirks. "No matter. Just be warn for the both of you, that I am after you and Shaina. Until then…watch your back." Then the Rare Hunter drops to the ground.

Atem and I turn to each other, wide eyed. Great, now Marik is after me! What's next now?